The wintery Augsburg was dressed in a robe of hoarfrost, when we reached our destination on Friday after a long journey. It was for the first time that we attended the Smooth Jazz Festival in Augsburg during the New Year period. We had expected adverse weather conditions and were pleasantly surprised by the snow-free weather. Traditionally the festival took place in the Kurhaus Göggingen in Augsburg. A venue of timeless beauty build in the years of rapid industrial expansion in Germany. It is the work of famous architect Jean Keller, who constructed the building in 1886.

The festival is due to the promoter Christian Bössner, who, like every year, is passionate about the smooth running, the high-profile artists and the constancy of the festival. To him my highest appreciation and many thanks for this wonderful event.

The backing band consisted, as always, of professional studio musicians, who had been operating their music business for many years. The formation was led by musical director and gifted keyboardist Lutz Deterra, who, with his musical expertise, mastery on his instrument and tireless élan, kept the event in motion.

Euge Groove is back with his tenth album and his fifth for Shanachie Entertainment. His new album Still Euge (2016) is a commitment to his musical roots, the genre with which he is grown and his own person as professional musician.

When spiritual loveliness is a tone, then Euge Groove hits it right on the opening Twelfth Night. His soprano sax sounds like a joyful singing bird, completely unbridled, no compromising, but exuberant in its transgression. The title song takes off with a jamming B3 before Euge blows his tenor sax. Making old school to something new or carrying the flame of jam into the future is his intention.

“Fear and creativity can not live in the same room,” declares free-spirited and consummate chart-topping saxophonist, composer, producer and radio host Euge Groove. “You can’t bring fear into the creative process. It took me a while to get that.” Euge Groove’s Ying and Yang and ebb and flow approach to his artistry and life have allowed him to enjoy a career longevity that is atypical. The highly sought after musical chameleon has been called upon for his musical prowess by everyone from Rock `N’ Roll Hall of Famer Tina Turner and balladeer Luther Vandross to UK Blues Rocker Joe Cocker, Richard Marx, Tower of Power and Huey Lewis and the News, among countless others.

Here come good news from the sax man: “It’s raining in SoCal. What a perfect day to be locked in the Groove House finishing up the new album Still Euge. 10 original songs featuring vocal collaborations with Rahsaan Patterson and Oleta Adams, as well as some burning guitar from Chuck Loeb and Peter White. First single ships to radio in a few weeks with the album to follow in June. One year and 140K airlines miles after I started this one (#10, but who’s counting?).”

For the log꞉ Euge Groove has just released a total of nine albums and his fourth for Shanachie Entertainment. The amount of publications is of course not a crucial factor for the quality of a musician. However, it casts a revealing light on his popularity.

Saxophone star Euge Groove presents with House Of Groove his eighth album overall and his third album for Shanachie Entertainment. Behind these bare facts stands a long distance with hard training, diverse exposure but also ample reward through recognition of his audience.

After his engagement with Tower of Power over a period of four years he worked for the stars like Joe Cocker, Eurythmics, the Gap Band, Huey Lewis & the News, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Aaron Neville, Eros Ramazotti, and Richard Marx.

On his new album Euge is accompanied by pianist and keyboardist Tracy Carter, bassist Cornelius Mims, guitarists Paul Brown and John “Jubu” Smith, drummers Trevor Lawrence and Dan Needham, percussionist Lenny Castro and trumpeter Lee Thornberg.

What makes a great musician? May be that Euge Groove already has recorded his seventh album, but foremost his glooming relationship to the audience. When he performs, he is the vivid center of action. He is the hero of party and fun. A real master of entertainment. No wonder that diva Tina Turner chose him as her sax player during her tour in 2008.

After Sunday Morning S7ven Large is Euge’s second album for Shanachie Entertainment. “The number seven is a very powerful and significant number. God rested on the seventh day, there are seven wonders of the ancient world, seven celestial bodies visible to the naked eye, and many other miraculous instances of the number seven throughout history. On my 7th, I’m hoping that listeners will hear the evolution and growth in my music,” says Euge.

Euge admits that it’s easier to record an album then to name it. Somehow he is joking around, when he calls the starting track Track 1. When you believe, that Najee or Kenny G can blow the most affectionate soprano sax then listen to Euge’s interpretation.

The recording of S7ven Large was a monumental undertaking in Eugene Grove’s life, befitting of this stage in the artist Euge Groove’s career. The number seven is a very powerful and significant number. God rested on the seventh day, there are seven wonders of the ancient world, seven celestial bodies visible to the naked eye, and many other miraculous instances of the number seven throughout history. “On my 7th, I’m hoping that listeners will hear the evolution and growth in my music,” says Euge.

“My last recording Sunday Morning had more of an old school sound, and this time out I wanted something more modern. I locked myself in my studio for five months and made this album. Once my head opens up to the process, I’m afraid to back off for even a second in fear I’ll lose the momentum!”

S7ven Large eases into things with an enticing and sweet number simply called “Track 1,” featuring Euge’s soulful and free flowing soprano saxophone. Then Euge picks up his tenor for “The Funky Bunch,” an escalating, greasy and funky groove that keeps the feel-good vibe going strong. The poppin’ horn section and nasty minor 13 chords remind us that Euge graduated from the University of Tower of Power! Euge Groove is a master at crafting great feeling grooves with singable melodies. S7ven Large seamlessly moves from one track to the next making it a joy to listen to in its entirety.

The album’s title track is an uplifting number reminiscent of the title track of Euge’s 2004 recording Livin’ Large. The counterpointal interplay between guitarist and labelmate Paul Brown and Euge is infectious. Bassist Corney Mims adds to the mix with an ultra funky slap bass solo in the breakdown that leads to a sexy and jazzy acoustic piano solo. At 5 1/2 minutes long, you really get a chance to hear Euge and the band stretch out.